Anger Over Essex Fire Chief Pay Boost

THE FBU claims the salary boost means David Johnson now earns more than the Prime Minister.

Paul Woolstenholmes, FBU National officer said: "While the rest of the Essex fire service faced a pay freeze Mr Johnson secured an extra £28,000 in his pay packet. The Prime Minister took a pay cut and his responsibilities are greater than Mr Johnson’s.

The criticism comes amid a public sector pay freeze and budget cuts for the fire service.

The Chairman of Essex Fire Authority, Anthony Hedley said: "Once again the FBU is seeking to mislead the public as it continues its personalised and vindictive campaign against the chief fire officer.

"Essex County Council agreed the level of that allowance for taking on the additional role (of County Emergency Planning Officer) and driving through changes that have saved the Essex taxpayers in the region of £185,000.

“The CFO is paid this additional responsibility allowance by the County Council so claims that this information was somehow hidden away are totally unfounded."